EDM: Centenary of the derailment of the Flying Scotsman

Centenary of the derailment of the Flying Scotsman

Tabled by Ian Lavery (Labour) 23 signatures

The motion

That this House notes that 10 May 2026 will mark the centenary of the inadvertent derailment of the Flying Scotsman at Cramlington during the General Strike of 1926; further notes that the intention of the miners involved was to disrupt the movement of a strike-breaking coal train and that, despite 281 passengers being aboard the Flying Scotsman, there were no serious injuries or fatalities; also notes that eight miners from South East Northumberland were sentenced to terms of imprisonment of up to eight years for their involvement, sentences which were widely regarded at the time as excessive; notes that all eight men were ultimately released early following sustained pressure from trade unionists, the wider community, politicians and members of the judiciary who considered the original punishments unjust; notes the apparent rush to secure convictions on flimsy evidence in order to make an example of Northumbrian miners during the General Strike; notes the long-standing campaign, begun at the time of sentencing, calling for these convictions to be quashed; notes that a play marking the centenary of these events will return to the Newcastle Theatre Royal on Sunday 12 July; believes that a century-long injustice has yet to be addressed; and calls on the Government to right this historic wrong by posthumously quashing the unfair convictions and finally delivering justice to the descendants of these men, who have campaigned for decades for their exoneration.

Signatories (23)